A good story: opponent switches frames 4 times

This happened last month. I was playing is a 4.5 tournament and my opponent (really nice guy) started off the match playing with a Babolat APD. I went up 4-1 and then he switched to a 90's era Wilson midsize FPK Ultra type frame. I won the first set 6-2, and then he switched to an 80's Wilson aluminum frame, about an 80 inch frame. Suddenly he started playing better and I went down 0-2...I was thinking that I can't believe I'm going to lose this set to a guy using a 1980s aluminum frame. Luckily, I got back on track and went up 4-2, at which point he switched to an oversized Wilson Graphite Frame, not sure what it was, but it was a Wal Mart or Sports Authority type frame. He switched back to the Babolat at the end of the match, but I won the second set 6-3, I think. Anyway, the next day I asked him about it and he just said that golfers use different clubs, so he doesn't see why tennis players shouldn't use different frames.

He seems to miss the point that golfers use different clubs for different shots.
Still, it is fun to switch frames around while playing, so if he is enjoying it, why not do it even if it doesn't lead to playing the best tennis?

That is ridiculous to use 4 frames in a short 2 set match! I could see doing it playing a buddy just testing and trying out different shots with different frames on the same opponent to see what works. But that's just outrageous. I feel his chances of winning plummeted when he picked up the third stick... :shock:

I have had partners who have four different sticks in their bag. They spend the whole match switching rackets or bouncing the strings off their palms, attributing poor play to needing to string the racket or just having had the racket strung. Then they will yank a completely different frame out of the bag and proceed to express frustration at that one.

Me, I like to have two identical frames with identical strings and identical tensions. That way, I can focus like a laser on the real reason I lose: No footwork.

I only switch racquets when my grip is too sweaty, or if I need less/more tension. But all of my frames are the same make/model, so I get no benefit in that regard.

I can't stand having different brands in my racquet bag. It's taken me forever and a day just to figure out how one frame works. If I switch to a completely different racquet in the middle of a match, I feel like it would throw off my game completely.

I played a guy that brought 4 different demo racquets to a tournament. The guy was sandbagging (self admitted) so he could take his team to 3.0 nationals. He then got a double bump to 4.0. He said he wasn't expecting to win and he was checking out new racquets because he needed a new one. Not sure why he entered a tournament though to test out demo racquets.

Funny thing is during changeovers he would tell me what he thought about each racquet and what he did or didn't like about them.

This happened last month. I was playing is a 4.5 tournament and my opponent (really nice guy) started off the match playing with a Babolat APD. I went up 4-1 and then he switched to a 90's era Wilson midsize FPK Ultra type frame. I won the first set 6-2, and then he switched to an 80's Wilson aluminum frame, about an 80 inch frame. Suddenly he started playing better and I went down 0-2...I was thinking that I can't believe I'm going to lose this set to a guy using a 1980s aluminum frame. Luckily, I got back on track and went up 4-2, at which point he switched to an oversized Wilson Graphite Frame, not sure what it was, but it was a Wal Mart or Sports Authority type frame. He switched back to the Babolat at the end of the match, but I won the second set 6-3, I think. Anyway, the next day I asked him about it and he just said that golfers use different clubs, so he doesn't see why tennis players shouldn't use different frames.

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You're lucky he didn't keep the progression going and switch to a 70's woodie after the 80's aluminum, 'cos he would have whipped you with that

I notice an immediate difference between rackets, especially swing weight, balance and feel. I cant tell much about the weight unless its really light or really heavy.

I have a really wristy swing so I do notice swing weight and balance almost instantly.

I have multiple rackets, but all but 1 or 2 are exactly the same setup. The 1 or 2 that arnt are usually strings im "testing". All my "match rackets" are exactly the same and I rotate through them to ensure even tension loss across all of them. I feel like I can tell... so I do it. Might just be in my mine, but w/e.

LOL! I've done that before, (not as drastically of course) but still. Mostly it's just when I'm in a demoing mood, seeing what's out there. The only time I don't do it is during tournaments. I bring a pair or more of relatively matched sticks and I'm good to go. Lately it's been my Bio200s or my PDRGT+'s depending on how I'm feeling. Lazy? Bring the PD, feeling up to par? Bring the 200s! :razz:

That being said, the main reason I switch during a tournament match is that my grip gets absolutely soaked. It's no fun at all since I'm a heavy sweater in my palms so I usually trade off at every change of ends.

One of the guys I play brings around 10 racquets to each match, most the same brand, but all different models. If he is losing he can go through most of them. Evidently he has another couple dozen at home, and adjusts based on opponent.

One of the guys I play brings around 10 racquets to each match, most the same brand, but all different models. If he is losing he can go through most of them. Evidently he has another couple dozen at home, and adjusts based on opponent.

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that's called denial! That's like the golfer constantly changing his putter instead of working on his putting.

It takes extra skill to be able to adapt your swings to a different weight of racquet on the fly.

The only people I've ever seen change to different frames during matches are usually getting a beat down and they're looking for something to blame.

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When I was in Australia couple months back I got to watch a pretty big deal local tournament. In the Open division there were players who had ATP/WTA points and some who used to have them. Tomic had even been runner-up in the men's event a few years ago, Scott Draper, Pat Rafter and Sam Stosur had all played it as juniors (and all had won events). So, really good standard at the Open level.

In the Open Mixed doubles, one of the guys was swapping from a Solinco Pro 10 when he served to an IG Prestige when he was returning. And, though common sense would say that it was the IG Prestige MP, it sure looked like the Mid that he was swapping to on returns. He and his partner won the match in 3 sets.

I also got to hit with one of the TW forum members while I was there and I noticed he changed racquets all the time. But he said he does it because he's on a constant search for something that feels like his old Prestige Pro so he keeps rotating through different racquets with different strings and tensions.

I carry two racquets in my bag - a BLX Pro Open and a 6.1 95. I usually use the Pro Open, but if I'm playing with a fairly hard hitter I'll often swap to the 95. The idea is that with the 95 I can control the ball better and don't need as much power from the racquet when the ball is coming at me fast.

I think it is stupid to switch frames 4 times in a tournament match. OK, if you are out just goofing off or demo-ing different frames. But, I think you should decide before the tourney what works best for you and then "you gotta dance with what you brought".